Legendary Pacers coach and broadcaster Bobby 'Slick' Leonard dies at age 88

INDIANAPOLIS — Bobby "Slick" Leonard, who led the Indiana Pacers to three ABA championships as a hall of fame coach, has died. He was 88.

The Pacers confirmed Leonard's death on Tuesday in a statement from team owners Herb and Steve Simon in which they called Leonard "the spirit of our franchise."

"With a charisma, intensity, and wit to match his nickname, Slick made us champions," the statement said. "He was our biggest fan and our most loving critic, and he personified Pacers basketball for generations of Hoosier families.

"Most importantly, though, Slick and Nancy are our family, and his passing leaves an unfillable void in the hearts of everyone associated with this organization. We keep the entire Leonard family in our prayers, and we recognize and honor Slick for what he meant to our state both on and off the court."

AJ MAST/AP

Born in Terre Haute on July 17, 1932, Leonard was a two-time All-American at Indiana University in a career that was highlighted by his game-winning free throw in the 1953 NCAA championship game.

He spent seven seasons in the NBA as a player before heading to the sideline, first with the Chicago Zephyrs and Baltimore Bullets, and later in Indianapolis with the Pacers.

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2014, Leonard coached the Pacers to 529 wins between 1968-80, including ABA titles in 1970, 1972 and 1973.

The Pacers were in deep financial trouble in 1977 following the ABA-NBA merger. Leonard and his wife, Nancy, who served as general manager, had an idea to hold a telethon on July 3 to save team.

Their goal was to sell 8,000 tickets to make $2 million and keep the team in Indianapolis.

Late in the night, Nancy took the microphone.

"Bob," she said with a pause. "We're at 8,028." And the crowd erupted in cheers.

Leonard began a second career with the Pacers in 1985 as a color commentator on radio and television where he celebrated the team's 3-pointers with his trademark "Boom Baby!" call.

Pacers radio announcer Mark Boyle led off Tuesday's game with an emotional remembrance of his longtime broadcast partner.

"When Slick and I became permanent partners in 1994, I was excited, but I was a little apprehensive," Boyle said. "I was young. I was full of myself. And I actually thought, and I'm embarrassed to admit this now, I actually thought at the time, 'I wonder if this guy is going to cramp my style.' Wow. Twenty-seven years later, he's the best thing that ever happened to me professionally and that's not the half of it. This is a man that made all of us feel like a family member."

Leonard is survived by Nancy, five children, 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Teams and figures remember Leonard

NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, a teammate of Leonard's on the Lakers, said Leonard encouraged him as a young player.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb released a statement honoring Leonard.